Electrically-operated bridge crane



March 16 1926.

F. ACKERMAN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BRIDGE CRANE Filed Dec. 31 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 w V w jfg m w M m m V 1 M M f M. Q .N m 7 w Mk V m MMarch 16,1926. 1,576,702 F. ACKERMAN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BRIDGE CRANEFiled Dec. 31 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fA/VfA/TOH fkA/wr HCHEHMAN Vi BY '6,7

HTTORNEYS Patented Mar. 16, i926.

UNITED. STATES PATENT was;

FRANK AcKEnMAn, or s'r. Louis, rrrssoonr, Assrenon 'ro cnlrrrs & co. Mrs00., or

\FIEILSTON, MESSOUBI, A

conronarron' or rarssonnr.

ELEGTRICALLY-OPEEATED BRIDGE CRANE.

Application filed December To all 21:71am may concern.

Be it known that ll, FRANK nonmetal-Y, a citlzen of the United StateslGSlfllH at St.

equipped with wheels which travel on an overhead track, and a mechanismfor propelling the-crane along its track, composed usually of anelectric motor and a speed reducing gearing mounted on the bridge andoperatively connected with a transverSelydisposed shaft th drives thewheels of the crane. I

Notwithstanding the fact that the bridge and end frames of a crane ofthe type mentioned are rigidly connected together, there is considerabletwisting and weaving of the crane members when the crane is inoperation, due to variations in the elevation of the rails of the trackand irregularities in the wheel tread surfaces of the rails, and thereis also considerable deflection or sagging of the bridge, due to changesin the amount and position of the load carried by the trolley thattravels on said bridge. In conventional cranes of this type the motorand speed i. d b

reducing gearing of the propelling mechag nism are mounted stationarilyon the bridge and rigidly connected to the same. Conse quently, thetwisting and weaving of the crane members and the variable deflection orsagging of the bridge causes the co-operating parts of the propellingmechanism to bind and to be thrown out of proper alignment, resulting inundue wear and loss of power. Moreover, as the housings of the motor andthe speed reducing gearing are connected together and secured to thebridge by numerous fastening devices, it is a difficult task, requiringconsiderable time, to replace either-the motor or speed reducinggearing, if either of said elements becomes defective. 4

One object of my invention is to provide an electrically-operated bridgecrane in which the propelling mechanism for the 31,1924.-. Serial No.759,952.

combined'as a single power unitfthat is mounted on the bridge of thecrane in such a way that it is capable of practically universaAccordingly, when the crane is in service the twisting and weaving ofthe crane memhers and the deflection of the bridge merely causes achange in the relative position of the power unit and the bridgewithout, however, destroying the operative relationship between themotor and the speed reducing gearing, or between said gearing and thewheel operating shaft which it drives. In order that the propellingmechanism may be repaired quickly and easily, the wheel operating shaftis composed of sections that are joined by coupling devices to thespeedreducing gearing, and the power unitls movement relatively to the bridgeretained in position on the bridge by a single fastening device that canbe removed quickly.

nnitcan be uncoupledfrom the wheel oper and a perfect power unitquickly. substituted for same and connected tothe wheel operating shaftin 'a fraction of thetime that is required to disassemble the parts ofthe propelling mechanism of a conventionalelectrically-operated bridgecrane.

Figure 1 of thedrawings is a top plan view of abridge crane constructedin 2.0

cordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectionalviewof. said crane, takenapproxlmately on the hne,

2-2 of Figure 1. r I

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View, taken on the line 3-3 of Figureblocking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a portion of the crane, partlyin sectlon, taken on the line 4:4c of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is anenlarged detall sectlonai Consequently,- if the propelling. mechanismbecomes defective, the power.

ating shaft and removed from-the bridge view of the eye bolt on thesupporting plate of the power unit through which the supporting shaft onthe bridge passes.

In the drawings, A designates the two end frames of my improved crane, Bdesignates the wheels on said end frames which travel on therails 1 ofan overhead track and C designates the bridge of the crane that may beof any preferred construction but which is herein illustrated ascomposed of two transversely-disposed, parallel members connected attheir ends to the end frames A. The propelling mechanism of the crane iscomposed of an electric motor D, a speed reducing gearing E and a wheeloperating shaft that transmits movement from the gearing E to the wheelsB of the crane, the particular type or kind of motor, speed reducinggearing and wheel operating shaft being immaterial, so far as myinvention is concerned. I prefer, however, to use a wheel operatingshaft that comprises two sections 2 whose inner ends are joined bycouplings 3 to a shaft or spindle 4t secured to the driving element 5 ofthe speed reducing gearing and whose outer ends are joined by couplings6 to shafts or spindles 7 secured to two of the wheels B of the crane.

The motor and speed reducing gearing are connected together by a shaft 8or other suitable means and are attached to a supporting member G whichis mounted on the bridge of the crane in such a way that said motor andgearing constitute a power unit which is capable of practically auniversal movement relatively to the bridge. In the crane hereinillustrated the bridge C is provided with a pair of laterally-projectingsupports 8 that extend parallel to the end frames A. and the supportingmember G of the power unit is rockably mounted on a horizontallydisposedshaft 9 carried by the supports 8 and arranged parallel to the bridge ofthe crane, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The supporting member G, inaddition to being capable of rocking vertically with relation to thebridge about the shaft 9 as an axis, is also capable of a slightvertical rocking movement relatively to the bridge about a horizontalaxis at right angles to the shaft 9. It is also capable of a slighthorizontal movement relatively to the bridge longitudinally of the shaft9 in either direction, and is constructed in such a way that it iscapable of a slight horizontal movement transversely of the shaft 9 ineither direction, and a slight rotary movement in the plane in whichsaid supporting member Gr lies. The above described movements of thesupporting member G of the power unit relatively to the bridge of thecrane are made possible by arranging the shaft 9 in an eye bolt 10 onthe supporting member G that is provided with an opening for said shaftwhose end portions are flared at 10, as

shown in Figure 5, the internal diameter of said end portions beingenough greater than the external diameter of the shaft 9 to permit thesupporting member G to which said eye bolt is attached to wobble in alldirections. The intermediate portion of the hole in the eyebolt 10through which the shaft 9 passes has a sufficiently loose fit on saidshaft to permit the supporting member G to slide longitudinally of theshaft 9 in either direction, and said eye bolt is attached to saidsupporting member by a shank 10 thereon that projects through a slot 11in the supporting member G and which is provided with a retaining nut10. The slot 11 in the supporting member G through which the shank ofthe eye bolt 10 passes is of considerably greater length than thediameter of said shank, as shown in Figure 3, and accordingly, as theretaining nut 10 is not set up tight, the supporting member G is capableof a slight movement transversely of the shaft 9 in either direction andis also capable of a slight rotary movement about the shank of the eyebolt as an axis. If desired, the slot 11 can be made wider than theshank of the eye bolt 10, as shown in Figure 5, so as to permit thesupporting member G to move slightly relatively to said eyebolt,longitudinally of the shaft 9.

If, when the crane is in operation, the bridge is subjected to a straintending to deflect it downwardly intermediate its ends, as indicated bythe arrow 00 in Figure 2, the supporting member G of the power unit willmove relatively to the shaft 9 sufficiently to compensate for thisdeflection and cause said member G to assume such a position that noinjurious strains are set up in the speed reducing gearing or in thewheel operating shaft connected to said gearing. As the deflection ofthe bridge varies both as to location and degree, the supporting memberG of the power unit automatically adjusts itself to the deflection, andconse quently, maintains the parts of the propelling mechanism in aposition wherein they are not subjected to undue wear or to frictionthat diminishes the power transmitted to the wheels of the crane.Likewise, when the end frames A and the bridge C of the crane twist andweave, due to variations in the elevation of the rails of the track orinequalities in the surfaces of the rails over which the wheels travel,the supporting member G of the power unit automatically adjusts itselfto each changed condition of the crane members, and thus preventsinjurious strains being set up in the propelling mechanism. lVhile Ihave stated that the supporting member G of the power unit is providedwith an eye having a flared opening which receives a shaft 9 that iscarried by supports 8 on the bridge of the crane, it will, of course, beobvious that the wear eye couldbe mounted on the bridge of the. craneand the shaft that co operates'with said eye mounted on the support ofthe power unit without depart the spirit of my invention, In fact, isin'i material, so far as my invention is concerned what particularfltypeof dev ce is" used for said (a o r also makes it possible to quicl-i.. 5ie propelling mechanism the motor speed reducing gearing becomesdetective, due to the fact that the motor and gearing are both rigidlymounted on a supporting member that is retained in position on thelnidge by a single element, to wit, the shaft 9. In the -form of my invtion herein illustrated the shaft 9 is positioned in holes 1 supports 8that are large enough to p said shaft to he slipped out of the suppoSquickly and it is retained in operative position in said supports bycotter pins 9 or other suitable retaining devices.

lVhile my invention is particularly applicable to the mechanism of thecrane that is used to propel the crane along its track, it is alsoapplicable to the mechanism rfsed in a crane for operating the trolleyll that travels on the bridge oi'the crane. lnercfore, in Figure 1 otthedrawings l have illustrated the'motor D and the spoon reducing gearing Ethat are used to operate the trolley as being rigidly mounted on asupporting member G that is located at one end of the bridge andsustained on same by a horizontally-disnosed shaft 90, carried by thebridge, and an eye. belt 100 on the supporting member G that is providedith a flared opening through which the she passes, said shaft 90 and eyebelt 100 being so disposed that the supporting member G is capable ofpractically universal movement relatively to the bridge of the crane.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A crane provided with a bridge, and a power unit mounted on said briin such a manner that it is capable of practically a universal movementrelatively to the l oo'e.

2. A crane provided with a bri a power unit on said bricge consistii or"a 1 member .directly connected to A crane provided with abridge, aowernnit, and means for mounting sa d power unit on the bridge in such away that the deflection of the bridge and the iJWlSil g and weaving oithe crane members when crane is in service exerts no force on power unitin a way tending to set up or in the parts e aid unit. no provided witha bridge, a a gearing combined to term a JOWGI unit, and a universalconnection between said power unit and bridge.

' A crane provided with a'br'dge, power unit, and auniversal pendingsaid power unit from the b 6. A crane provided w th power unit, andconnection betwc elements comprising sh on one or said elements and a.part on the other element that is oscillatingly mounted and slidinglymounted on said shalt.

7. A crane provided with. a brids'e, a

power unit comprisinga motor and a ll c gearand a connection betweensaid bf and supporting member arranged to permit 5 id nember to rockvertically in a plurality of different directions at substantially rightangles to each other. i

8. A crane provided with a bridge, a power unit comprising'a motors; agearing directly connected togetheiga supporting member which carriessaid motor and gearing, and a connection'between said bridge andsupporting member arranged to permit said member to reel: verticallyin apin ality of di'l'lerent directions at right angles to each other andalso twist or turn slightly in horizontal plane.

9. A crane provided with a bridge, a power unit consisting of a motorand a gearing, asupporting member that carries said motor and gearing,and a part on the bridge on which said member is oscillatingly mountedand slidingly mounted.

10. A crane provided with a bridge, a power unit, and means for mountinsaid power unit on said bridge comprising a horizontal shaft on one ofsaid elements and an eye on the other element slidingl mount ed on saidshaft and provided with an opening for said shalt that is flared at itsends.

11. A crane, comprising a bridge, end frames equipped with wheels, andpropelli i mechanism for driving said heels comprising atransverselydisposed s? t and a power unit operatively connected withsaid shaft and mounted on said bridge in such a way that it is capableof moving relatively to the bridge to compensate for the deflection tthe bridge and the twisting and weaving of the crane members when theera ,0 service.

is in 12. A crane provided with a bridge, end frames connected to saidbridge and equipped with wheels, a transversely-disposed wheel operatingshaft arranged substantially parallel to the bridge, and a power unitoperatively connected with said shaft and joined to the bridge by auniversal connection, for the purpose described.

13. A crane provided with a bridge, end frames connected to said bridgeand equipped with wheels, a propelling mechanism comprising shaftsections connected to wheels of the crane, and a power unit detachablyconnected to said shaft sections and mounted on the bridge in such a waythat it is capable of moving relatively to the bridge in a sufiicientnumber of different directions to compensate for the deflection of thebridge and the weaving and twisting of the crane members when the craneis in service.

14. A crane provided with a bridge, end frames connected to aid bridgeand equipped with wheels, a propelling mechanism comprising a power unitand a transversely-disposed wheel operating shaft, and means forpivotally mounting said power unit on said bridge comprising a part thatis adapted to be removed so as to enable said power unit as an entiretyto be disconnected from the bridge.

15). A crane provided *ith a bridge, end frames connected to said bridgeand equipped with wheels, a propelling mechanism comprising atransversely-disposed w reel operating shaft and a power unit detachablyconnected to said shaft, and means for mounting said power unit on thebridge in such a Way that it is capable of rocking vertically relativelyto the bridge in a plurality of different directions and is also capableof a slight horizontal movement relatively to the bridge in a pluralityof different directions.

16. A crane provided with a bridge, end frames connected to said bridgeand equipped with wheels, a wheel operating shaft arranged substantiallyparallel to the bridge, 'a power unit detachably connected to said shaftcomposed of a motor and a gearing directly connected together, asupporting member for said motor and gearing, a supporting shaft on thebridge arranged at one side of same in parallel relation thereto, and aneye on said supporting member surrounding said supporting shaft andprovided with an opening that is flared at both ends.

17. A crane, comprising a bridge, end frames connected to said bridgeand equipped with wheels, supports projecting laterally from the bridge,a wheel operating shaft disposed substantially parallel to the bridge, apower unit detachably connected to said shaft, and means for mountingsaid power unit on said supports in such a way that it is capable ofrocking vertically relatively to the bridge in a plurality of differentdirections and is also capable of moving horizontally relatively to thebridge in a pluality of different directions.

FRANK ACKERMAN.

